Escape from Endeavor

by Daniel A. Jones

  ***

  Daemon and Shektee were waiting in Medical when Angelica and Nelson arrived. They were looking at Stacey as she lay motionless on the examination table. Her bruises and all other signs of physical abuse were gone. Shektee had told Daemon that her life energy was still very low. She was trying to explain how she could interact with humans while still on the other side of the planar barrier when the hatch started to cycle open.

  Angelica stepped into Medical first, followed immediately by Nelson. Shektee stopped talking as soon as they entered and stepped back to give them room to move around without having to get too close to her. She’d learned why Daemon wanted to keep the truth of her nature a secret: Everyone on board, including his sister, avoided them. Nelson stepped up to Stacey and checked the readouts on the medical computer attached to the table. They were as he expected: Unchanged.

  Angelica stood next to Daemon and watched Nelson.

  “Daemon told me you asked for my assistance. How may I be of service?” Shektee asked.

  “I’ve tried but I can’t seem to help her. Is there anything you can think of that we can do?” Angelica replied.

  “I was just telling Daemon that I’ve seen this condition in other humans. When despair becomes too great they just give up, their life force drains away, leaving them an empty shell. I’ve been thinking about this since you made it clear you wanted her to survive. I can look into her memories and find what drove her to such despair and then try to remove those memories—I’ve recently been granted the ability to remove memories. I’m not sure how skilled I am at doing it, though. Once the memory of why she wants to die is gone you will need to give her the desire to live. Hopefully, that will work.”

  “How long will it take?”

  “I don’t know; there are many variables.”

  “Can I make a suggestion? Stacey was injured in the attack that damaged the ship. Can you erase her memories of everything that has happened since then? That way you have a place to start, and those will be the most disturbing memories,” Nelson suggested.

  “Okay, I’ll try that.” Shektee said as she reached for Stacey’s hand bringing it up to give it a tender kiss.

  Daemon put his arm around Angelica to comfort and reassure her while Nelson watched intently.

  Shektee took her time sifting through Stacey’s memories. She easily found the resent memories that were causing her so much pain and tried to focus on the spell the ancient had taught her. The spell took more energy to cast this way but it was having the effect she wanted. Stacey now wouldn’t remember anything except the flash at her console. Once she was done erasing the memories, Shektee went deeper into Stacey’s past; she’d learned she needed more information about how to pilot the ship. This time Shektee was not in a rush; she took her time and found all the memories Stacey had about flying. It was easier to find the memories she wanted while they were still separated from her own memories and those of her other mind-rape victims. When she was satisfied she had all the information she could get from Stacey’s mind, she broke contact.

  Shektee hadn’t moved in almost an hour when Angelica started to get nervous. Daemon tried to reassure her but she knew it was taking too long. Nelson was monitoring Stacey’s vital signs which had improved a little at first but hadn’t changed in the last half hour. Everyone sighed in relief when Shektee finally came out of her trance and looked at them.

  “I have done what I can. She shouldn’t remember anything after the explosion at her station on the Bridge.”

  “Thank you,” Nelson told her, a wave of gratitude washing over her from him.

  She absorbed as much of the emotional energy as she could; it was pure and strong she found it very pleasing. Humans had such a variety of emotions and so much energy it still amazed Shektee.

  “You must be drained from all this, let me give you a boost,” Angelica volunteered to Daemon and Shektee’s surprise. Angelica had not talked about what had happened the first time she’d given Shektee a boost and Daemon was still upset he’d asked her to do it.

  Shektee very much wanted another one of Angelica’s energy boosts but she was also worried what would happen if she lost control and started draining Angelica.

  “No, not after what happened last time,” Daemon stated as he tried to pull Angelica behind him, but she refused to move.

  “It’ll be all right. I think we were both a little surprised last time and if something goes wrong you can knock her out,” Angelica said, trying to sound lighthearted about what she was about to do.

  “Thank you, but if Daemon does not approve then I must refuse,” Shektee told her.

  “Daemon, tell her it’s okay. We can’t have her running around hungry. Who knows what would happen.”

  “Fine, Shektee, let her do it,” Daemon said, exasperated.

  Angelica locked eyes with Shektee and asked if she was ready. When she nodded, Angelica started sending her revitalizing energy. Angelica had learned last time that Shektee would take all the energy she sent her and the longer the transfer lasted the more likely Shektee was to lose control. Angelica sent a large burst of energy to Shektee which lasted only a few seconds before she stopped.

  Shektee didn’t expect the quantity and force with which Angelica transferred the energy. She’d expected Angelica to go slower and give her less energy than last time in order to keep things under control. The shock of receiving that much pure energy staggered her.

  Nelson grabbed Shektee out of reflex when he saw her stumble back but when he realized what he was doing an instant of shocked fear ran through him. “Uh, are you all right?” Nelson asked as he let go of her.

  “Yes. I wasn’t expecting Angelica to be so forceful or so giving,” Shektee replied slowly, searching for the proper words as her mind reeled with the energy flowing through her.

  “I hope it wasn’t too much or too fast; after our last try I didn’t want to maintain the link for too long.”

  “No, it was very generous of you. I was expecting a slow trickle of energy, not such a strong burst. I must warn you that weaker creatures could be killed from such a transfer of energy.”

  “You weren’t hurt, were you?” Angelica asked, concerned she might have hurt someone she was trying to help.

  “No, I was prepared to absorb the energy. Do not worry about me. I was informing you so you didn’t accidently harm someone else.”

  “Thank you.” Angelica wasn’t sure how she felt about being indebted to a demon.

  “Mystique is waiting for you two in the cargo bay. She wants to collect some of the herbs to sell. She’s worried about not having any money when we get to Nebular,” Angelica told Daemon glad that he would take Shektee with him.

  “Oh, here. take these. They’ll help you identify the best plants to collect,” Nelson suggested as he handed Daemon the meter he had used earlier. Nelson then got another electronic meter from a locker. He turned it on and adjusted the settings so it would be ready for use before handing it over also.

  “Thanks, we’ll be back in a few hours. Don’t let them take off without us,” Daemon said jokingly, but Angelica felt the truth in his concern in the feelings behind what he said.

  35

  Daemon and the girls were gone for close to three hours before they were finally ready to return to the ship. Daemon and Mystique had used one of the meters and collected plants from within a mile of the ship and Shektee used the other one. She’d changed forms and flown closer to the Rift. She was able to fill two of the large bags in the time it took Daemon to fill one. Mystique had taken the chore of carrying the full bags back to the ship while the other two stayed and continued to collect plants. They collected seven bags full of plants in the time they were out.

  Angelica was waiting in the cargo bay when Mystique returned with the seventh bag. The bags were bulky but not heavy, being filled with leaves and a few small twigs.

  “The repairs are finished. We should be able to lift off in a little while. I think it would be best f
or you to get Daemon and get back as soon as possible.”

  “Okay. Could you find out how much this stuff is worth?”

  “Certainly. I’ll see you when you get back; be careful,” Angelica said as she gave Mystique a hug. Mystique was not used to being hugged that way and wasn’t sure she liked it. It brought back too many bad memories but she wasn’t going to tell Angelica or stop her from doing it. She liked Angelica and didn’t want to risk hurting her feelings.

  Mystique found Daemon pulling a small bush out of the ground near where she’d left him. “The repairs are done. They’re almost ready to lift off,” she told him as she walked up.

  “Okay.” Daemon wasn’t sure how but he knew if he thought about wanting Shektee, she would know and come. So he sent her the message and hoped she got it. “I take it they want us back.”

  “Angelica does. I wanted to ask you something about Shektee before we lift off.”

  “Yeah, what about her?” Daemon replied a little defensively. He was getting tired of everyone hating her for what she was when she hadn’t done anything to deserve their hatred.

  “I’ll wait until she’s here. It concerns her and she should know what’s going on,” Mystique answered, meeting his flash of attitude with one of her own.

  Shektee arrived five minutes later with the meter in one talon and a half full bag in the other. She dropped them both just before landing and transformed back to her natural demonic form. Mystique was the only person other than Daemon that didn’t seem to mind her demonic form.

  “You summoned me?” Shektee asked as she tried to read the two of them for any clues about what was going on.

  “Yeah, the ship is about ready and Mystique has something she wants to talk to us about,” Daemon said as he looked at Mystique.

  “I was wondering what your plans are for Shektee? Is she going to pilot the ship or stay here? I know you’ve been learning and practicing to pilot with her.”

  “We need her to pilot. Stacey may get better, but it’s going to take time and I don’t want to stay any longer than we have to. My father died trying to get Angelica and me off this planet and I’m going to make sure it happens.”

  “Okay, so what happens when we get to Nebular 4? Are you just going to set her free to hunt on the population of an innocent planet? No offense, but you do kill people to survive, and I don’t think anybody would stand a chance against you if Mac, Sara, and Nelson are typical people.”

  “No offense taken. You’re right. Though there are individuals in every society who may be a challenge,” Shektee replied with a pleasant smile.

  “Bleen, I hadn’t thought about that,” Daemon said, frustrated with himself for not thinking that far ahead.

  “I understand your concern, and I believe I have the solution: I can return to my native plane of existence at any time. When we reach the other planet, I will simply cross through the barrier. Mac is capable of flying you to the planet, or you could call for help.”

  “What’s to stop you from crossing back on the planet once you know where it is?” Mystique asked.

  “The barrier prevents my kind from crossing into this plane. We must be pulled through by someone on this side, that’s why the Rift attracted so many of us. It’s the only place where the barrier has been broken—and is even now repairing itself.”

  “That sounds good. I’m sorry you’ve had to help us. I know it’s not what you wanted to be doing,” Daemon apologized.

  “No need, I’ve learn a great many things from you and the rest. I would gladly continue to serve you if you wish. Knowledge is power and the more powerful I am, the better my chances of survival.”

  “I don’t think Angelica would like that too much. She may not hate and fear you as much but she still doesn’t feel comfortable around you,” Daemon confessed.

  “Very well. If I may?” Shektee reached her hands slowly to the sides of Mystique’s head. Mystique instinctively wanted to pull away but forced herself to remain calm and let Shektee touch her. Shektee leaned forward and kissed Mystique on the forehead, planting the phrase, Alka Shektee sinnis Sarrat Irkalli ana abatu nga lukur, in Mystique’s memory so she would never forget it.

  “You now know the chant to summon me. If you ever need my help, repeat those words until I arrive. You must say it exactly as I have taught you. The chant can be very dangerous; it will open the barrier so that I may cross, but if you fail to say it properly another demon may cross through in my place. Do you understand?’ Shektee asked as she watched Mystique’s reaction.

  “Yeah, I get it, but if it’s so dangerous, why teach me to do it?” Mystique asked as the phrase repeated itself in her mind.

  “You may need my help someday and it’s only dangerous if you do not speak it the way I taught you.”

  “Okay, so I speak the phrase and you appear and then what? You have to serve me?”

  “No, you would have to use the enchantment of binding. I will arrive as a free spirit able to do as I please. I promise you I will not harm you.” Shektee told her the truth, knowing that the ancient one was listening.

  Mystique couldn’t stop herself from bursting out laughing. Both Shektee and Daemon looked at her as if her mind had snapped from the stress of the last few days. It took her a full minute to start getting her laughter under control enough for her to explain. “A demon just made me a promise,” was all she could say before she started laughing again. This time Daemon understood what she was laughing at and joined her with a chuckle.

  Shektee gave them both a quizzical look, not understanding. She’d made the promise with the full intention of keeping it. “Yes, I promise and I will honor my oath,” she stated, a little annoyed at both of them.

  Mystique forced herself to stop laughing long enough to explain to Shektee. “Yes, I know and I think I understand why, too, but the idea of someone trusting a demon is so absurd, and yet I trust you more than I trust most humans.”

  Shektee then got it: Mystique was laughing at herself and not at her.

  A few minutes later, Mystique and Daemon were able to stop laughing and Mystique wiped the tears from her eyes, she couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed. Daemon hadn’t found the situation that funny but he’d let himself get caught up in Mystique’s laughter. Shektee was standing there absorbing the joyful energy they were giving off as they laughed. She decided if they were going to give it away so freely there would be no harm in her absorbing some. She also found the taste of joyful energy to be very pleasing.

  Once Mystique was calm, she said, “Shektee, I am one of the few people who know anything about the ancient spirit you’re really working for and about his connection to Daemon. I don’t think you’re going to do anything that might have a chance of upsetting that spirit, or a certain crewmember would have disappeared by now. I’ve been under that thumb and I know a lot about it.” Mystique paused to let both of them consider what she was saying before continuing. “Daemon, for all your fighting ability, you wouldn’t stand a chance against Shektee if it wasn’t for that ancient spirit. She would have you as her own personal killing machine. Don’t ever think she’s afraid of you,” Mystique stated, poking Daemon in the chest.

  “You’re a lot more perceptive then most humans I’ve met. This is one of the reasons I have given you the knowledge on how to summon me. I trust you will not share it with anyone. You are also right about the reason you’re safe. I wouldn’t be as restrained if I thought the ancient wouldn’t get upset,” Shektee pointed out with an evil grin.

  “What about me? I don’t get to know the phrase to summon you?” Daemon asked with a fake pout.

  “No. If the ancient wants you to know how to summon me, he will teach you. I am also not sure you can summon me. Those that are possessed or connected to demons have a much harder time summoning other demons. Whatever created the barrier created many safeguards against too many of my species coming to or staying on your plane. Also, as a species, we do not work well together,” Shektee said more seri
ously.

  “I do have one serious request. In the future I know you’re going to kill people. I ask that you don’t kill any innocent people. You know, like kids and adults that haven’t hurt anyone. There are enough nasty people that like to hurt others for you to feed on. Angelica was right about me being partly responsible for everyone you kill from now on, so please don’t make me regret not killing you,” Daemon asked, staring into Shektee’s eyes.

  She understood his reasons as foolish as she believed they were, and realized how innocent he was at heart. She would do as he requested because he’d spared her life rather than that it was the wish of the ancient.

  “I will do as you request,” Shektee stated in a solemn voice.

  “I have a request, too. If I do summon you, will you cross back out of our plane when I ask you to?” Mystique asked.

  “Yes, once the task is complete but I will expect to be allowed to feed at least a little before leaving.”

  “That sounds fair enough, though if I summon you it will probably mean I need somebody killed that I can’t kill myself or someone deserves an exceptionally painful death. Let’s get back to the ship before they try to leave us behind,” Mystique replied.

  Daemon wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that but he didn’t know what to say so he picked up the bags of plants they’d collected and started walking back to the ship.

  “No need to worry. I put a computer lock on the flight controls. It should take Mac at least a few hours to remove it. I think,” Shektee said before changing into a bird and flying back to the ship at full speed, just in case.